Between 1970-2014, rural counties with a lot of federal lands did better financially than those without as much federal control. That’s according to a new study by Headwaters Economics, a non-partisan think tank based in Montana.  Economist Megan Lawson led the study which drew averages from around the West. She says federal lands aren’t necessarily the reason why those rural counties were better off, but that having federal land doesn’t automatically spell economic ruin. The graphic does not show median income comparisons which would reflect on whether high concentrations of federal lands correlate with less income inequality or not.